I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together.
I brought a Memorandum to Government on an enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme on the 30 November 2021. It included an unprecedented suite of improvements to the current scheme. Government approved the enhanced scheme which it is estimated will cost approximately €2.2Bn.
Changes included the grant calculation methodology in respect of option 1 remediation which will, under the enhanced scheme, be based on a cost per square foot with costings to be set by my Department following receipt of information on up to date construction costs from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). In the case of remediation options 2-5, a similar but necessarily different approach will be taken to inform the appropriate grant rate for blockwork removal and replacement following receipt of advice from SCSI. The SCSI will be completely independent in their engagement with my Department on construction costs.
It is important to note that the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme does not make financial provision for upgrades to the home. Homeowners are not precluded from carrying out such upgrades under the scheme but the marginal cost of such works must be paid for by the homeowner. My Department has engaged with colleagues in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to the eligibility of DCB homeowners under the National Retrofitting Schemes run by SEAI. I can confirm that SEAI grants for retrofitting works are available to DCB homeowners on the same terms and conditions as those applicable to all homeowners and should, given the recent Government announcement of increased grant amounts being available to homeowners, go some way towards offsetting the cost of thermal upgrades to the home where these works are being carried out.
